10 best master's in business analytics for 2027 (QS)

MIT Sloan School of Management offers the world’s best Master's in Business Analytics in 2027, according to the latest QS Business Masters Rankings. MIT has led the ranking every year since 2019—except in 2024, when fellow US-based UCLA Anderson School of Management briefly took the top spot.

Business schools in the US dominate the top 10 in this year’s QS MSBA ranking, with six universities represented, followed by France and the UK, which both have two.

Before exploring the rest of the ranking, let’s recap how it’s put together.

QS business analytics ranking: Methodology

The annually published ranking is based on QS surveys of academics, employers, and business school staff.

Programs are given scores across five categories to work out their overall position. Schools are measured on their employability, alumni outcomes, value for money, thought leadership, and class and faculty diversity, with primary weighting given to employability (30%). 

10 best Master's in Business Analytics: 2027

Digitalization continues to reshape industries across the globe, with AI and other cutting-edge technologies taking center stage in recent years. The ability to analyze data is therefore among the most in-demand skills for recruiters today. The typical Master's in Business Analytics is designed to equip students with the skills and expertise needed to become digital leaders ready to thrive in the modern workplace.

In 2027, MIT Sloan School of Management remains the top choice for acquiring these skills, according to QS, with its STEM-designated Master of Business Analytics (MBAn) retaining first place after also topping the ranking in 2025 and 2026.

Last year the number one spot was shared between Sloan and the joint program offered by École Polytechnique and HEC Paris in France, but in 2027 the Massachusetts school is the outright winner. École Polytechnique / HEC Paris falls to second and UCLA Anderson’s MSc in Business Analytics—also STEM-designated—is in third.

There are two new programs in the top 10 this year. The Master of Science in Business Analytics and AI offered at NYU Stern School of Business enters the ranking for the first time, placing at number five. Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business is the other school to enter the top 10, with its program rising one place from 11th.

Otherwise, the top 10 schools are largely unchanged from last year, with ESSEC/CentraleSupélec (another jointly offered program), Columbia Business School, London Business School, Duke University Fuqua School of Business, and Imperial Business School all retaining their places in the top 10.

Beyond the top 10

Outside of the top 10, the 2027 QS ranking of business analytics programs features 238 programs in total, up from 201 last year. Europe contributed the most programs (99), but the US had the strongest performance overall, with six programs in the top 10 and 10 among the top 20.

Overall, the top 20 is dominated by US, French, and British schools, with these three countries taking up 16 of the top 20 places. IE Business School (Spain), NUS Business School (Singapore), Toronto Rotman, and McGill Desautels (both Canada) were the only representatives of other countries to feature among the top 20.

Is a Master's in Business Analytics worth it?

The world’s best master’s degrees in business analytics don’t come cheap. The one-year Master’s in Business Analytics at MIT costs $96,884, while UCLA Anderson’s MSBA degree is slightly more affordable at $81,600—a figure that increased by over $6k since last year.

Studying in Europe is generally more cost-effective. The HEC Paris/École Polytechnique two-year program costs €59,900 ($68,800), while Imperial Business School charges £47,000 ($62,800) for 2026 entry.

Despite the high fees, graduates often consider completing a Master’s in Business Analytics worth it, as the skills and expertise gained translate into strong earning potential.

For instance, the UCLA Anderson MSBA boasts an impressive return on investment, with graduates seeing an average salary increase of 69%. Pre-MSBA earnings average $65,000, but post-graduation salaries jump to $110,000 per year.

In Europe, salaries are comparatively lower, but this is offset by more affordable tuition fees. Graduates from ESCP Business School, for example, report average earnings of €60,000 ($71,000).

These figures suggest that graduates can expect to see a healthy return on their investment relatively quickly. For those looking for flexibility, online MSBA degrees provide a more affordable alternative and can often be studied part-time, enabling students to continue working while they learn.